Pivoting tailgate shoveling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A tailgate shoveling apparatus includes a containment bed mounted on a vehicle for contained material therein, and a tailgate shoveling platform pivotably attached proximate an end of the containment bed. The tailgate shoveling platform pivots between two positions rotationally offset by substantially more than 90 degrees in relation to each other. The tailgate shoveling platform substantially prevents material from spilling out of the containment bed in a first position. In a second position, the tailgate shoveling platform provides a platform configured to hold a portion of the material contained in the containment bed at an ergonomic shoveling height relative to a user standing on ground level. Once a desired amount of material has been removed from the platform, the tailgate shoveling platform may return unused material back into the containment bed as the tailgate shoveling platform moves back into the first position.

BACKGROUND

The field of this disclosure relates generally to a tailgate for a vehicle having a containment bed, and particularly, to a tailgate functioning as a shoveling apparatus for holding material from the containment bed.

Roadway surfaces require maintenance to repair wear and tear resulting from traffic, weather, and other factors. These roadways are typically repaired using asphalt, gravel, or other similar materials. It has long been common practice to load the repair material onto a truck bed, drive the truck to the location, and disperse a quantity of the repair material from the truck bed onto the ground either by using a worker with a shovel standing on or near the containment bed to move the repair material or by using a device to dispense quantities of repair material onto the ground. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,402 of Jones describes a material containment bed having a material distribution opening and a patching pan rotatably and detachably mounted below the material containment bed for receiving the material through the distribution opening. Once the material is removed from the patching pan, the pan is rotated back to a storage position underneath the truck to allow the truck to move freely. Other examples of similar or related apparatuses or attachments for unloading material from a containment bed may be found in the prior art.

The present inventor has recognized various disadvantages with currently available apparatuses and methods for repairing road surfaces, including: having a worker manually remove material from the back of a containment bed, which requires considerable physical exertion by the worker that may result in back problems or repetitive-stress injuries; requiring the worker to stand inside, near, or on the walls of the containment bed, which may pose an increased risk of injury, such as injury from falling; and requiring the worker to stand in a containment bed and work with heated mixtures, which may lead to an increased susceptibility of burn injuries.

The present inventor has also recognized that currently available devices do not provide for a fine control of the amount of material that is removed from the containment bed. Typical devices receive a largely uncontrolled amount of material from the containment bed and lack a mechanism for easily returning any unused material back into the containment bed for future use. Additionally, the present inventor has recognized that current devices usually require significant modifications to the vehicle body or require additional space on the vehicle for mounting, thereby compromising the versatility of the vehicle.

The present inventor has identified a need for a tailgate shoveling apparatus that provides relatively safe and easy access to a material contained in a containment bed without requiring significant modifications to a vehicle body or compromising vehicle versatility. The present inventor has also identified a need for a shoveling platform that contains a portion of a material from a containment bed and lowers such a portion to a comfortable shoveling height, thereby reducing injury risk and providing safe access to the material. Additionally, the inventor has identified a need for a shoveling platform that facilitates conserving material and returning unused material back into the containment bed for future use.

SUMMARY

Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for one or more of improved removal of material from a containment bed, improved shoveling of material from a containment bed, and/or improved return of unused material to a containment bed. In certain preferred apparatuses and/or methods, a tailgate shoveling platform contains material in a containment bed in a closed (first) position, holds a portion of such material at an ergonomic shoveling placement in an open (second) position, and returns unused material to the containment bed when moving from the open position to the closed position.

For example, one embodiment includes a containment bed mounted on a vehicle for containing material therein, and a tailgate shoveling platform pivotably attached to an end of the containment bed. The tailgate shoveling platform pivots between two positions rotationally offset from each other by substantially more than 90 degrees. In a closed position, the tailgate shoveling platform contains material in a containment bed to prevent material from spilling. In an open position, the tailgate shoveling platform provides a platform that holds a portion of a material from the containment bed at an ergonomic shoveling placement. In such a position, the tailgate shoveling platform is spaced apart from the ground at a height for convenient and safe access to the material. Once a desired amount of material has been removed from the shoveling platform, the tailgate shoveling platform may dump unused material back into the containment bed as the tailgate shoveling platform returns to the closed position.

In another exemplary embodiment, the tailgate shoveling platform includes an upper panel and a lower panel adjoined in an angular configuration in relation to each other, with each panel having a substantially planar surface. The tailgate shoveling platform holds a portion of a material by locating the lower panel substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the ground when the tailgate shoveling platform is in an open position. Additionally, the tailgate shoveling platform may include a lip extending from an end of the lower panel to help prevent spilling as the material is loaded onto and unloaded off of the tailgate shoveling platform.

Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a tailgate shoveling apparatus illustrating a tailgate shoveling platform attached to an end of a containment bed in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a heating system located underneath the containment bed of the tailgate shoveling apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the tailgate shoveling apparatus of FIG. 1 mounted on a vehicle with the tailgate shoveling platform in a closed position.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the mounted tailgate shoveling apparatus of FIG. 1 with the tailgate shoveling platform in an open position.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of the mounted tailgate shoveling platform of FIG. 1 illustrating the containment bed in a tilted position for helping move a material contained in the containment bed onto the tailgate shoveling platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The described features, structures, characteristics, and methods may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In view of the disclosure herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, in one example operation, a vehicle 105 with a tailgate shoveling apparatus 10 may be used to contain gravel, asphalt, or other road repair material (not shown) in a containment bed 20 and haul that material to a work site. Once at the work site, the material may be unloaded by tilting the containment bed 20 to move the contained material toward a tailgate shoveling platform 25 located along a containment bed end 35. The tailgate shoveling platform 25 may then be lowered from a closed position to an open position to present a portion of the material to a user at a comfortable shoveling height. The user can then remove material from tailgate the shoveling platform 25 as needed to repair the road. Afterward, the tailgate shoveling platform 25 can be returned to its closed position and any unused material remaining on the tailgate shoveling platform 25 is returned to the containment bed 20 for future use. The vehicle 105 can then be driven to another work site.

FIGS. 1-3 collectively illustrate an example embodiment of a tailgate shoveling apparatus 10 mounted on a vehicle 105 with a tailgate shoveling platform 25 shown in the open and closed position. With reference to FIGS. 1-3, in a preferred embodiment, the tailgate shoveling apparatus 10 includes a containment bed 20 for containing a material therein having a right interior wall 15 and an opposing left interior wall 115. The interior walls 15, 115 have a substantially smooth surface tapering toward a containment bed floor 22 to help direct material toward the center of the containment bed 20. The tailgate shoveling apparatus 10 further includes a tailgate shoveling platform 25 configured to hold a portion of the material in the containment bed 20 when the tailgate shoveling platform 25 is in the open position. The tailgate shoveling platform 25 includes an upper panel 30 and a lower panel 40 each having a substantially planar surface, with a first end of the upper panel 30 pivotably attached to the containment bed 20 along a containment bed end 35 and an opposing second end of the upper panel 30 adjoining a first end of the lower panel 40 in an angular configuration. The tailgate shoveling platform 25 may be attached to the containment bed 20 via a hinge, such as hinge 36, or using other suitable devices. The lower panel 40 includes a lip 55 extending from an opposing second end of the lower panel 40. The lip 55 helps contain material in the lower panel 40 of the tailgate shoveling platform 25.

In a preferred embodiment, the tailgate shoveling platform 25 further includes a left side wall 45 and an opposing right side wall 50, each extending substantially perpendicular in relation to the upper panel 30, the lower panel 40, and the lip 55 for further aiding in containing the material in the tailgate shoveling platform 25. The tailgate shoveling platform 25 also includes a left triangular panel 60 and a right triangular panel 65, connected between a left side wall 45 and the upper panel 30 and between a right side wall 50 and the upper panel 30, respectively. The triangular panels 60, 65 may also be attached to the containment bed 20 via a rod 37, such as by welding or using another suitable attachment method. The triangular panels 60, 65 are each spaced apart from and each extend over at least a corresponding left and right portion of the upper panel 30, respectively.

In a preferred arrangement, the tailgate shoveling apparatus 10 includes a mechanical system, such as a hydraulic system 80, for moving the tailgate shoveling platform 25 between the open position and the closed position. Such a mechanical system is preferably housed between the interior walls 15, 115 and an exterior wall 110 of vehicle 105. The hydraulic system 80 includes a left linkage 70 and a right linkage 75 operatively connected to the side walls 45, 50, respectively, for moving the tailgate shoveling platform 25 between the open position and the closed position. The interior walls 15, 115 of the containment bed 20 each include a substantially planar triangular left face 85 and right face 90 facing rearward toward the tailgate shoveling platform 25 and dimensioned substantially similar to the triangular panels 60, 65 of the tailgate shoveling platform 25. A first opening 95 and a second opening 100 are located adjacent the triangular faces 85, 90, respectively, and are sized to house the linkages 70, 75 between the interior walls 15, 115 and the exterior wall 110 of the vehicle 105.

When the tailgate shoveling platform 25 is in the closed position, the linkages 70, 75 are housed inside openings 95, 100 and between the interior walls 15, 115 and the exterior wall 110 of the vehicle 105. Additionally, the triangular panels 60, 65 are substantially flush against the triangular faces 85, 90, thereby substantially sealing the containment bed 20 and greatly reducing or eliminating spillage of material from the containment bed 20. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the tailgate shoveling platform 25 preferably rotates in a range of motion substantially more than 90 degrees between the open and closed position such that the open position is rotationally offset by more than 90 degrees in relation to the closed position. In some embodiments, the tailgate shoveling platform 25 may rotate approximately 150 degrees between the open and closed position. Other embodiments may include the tailgate shoveling platform 25 rotating in a range of motion anywhere between 90 and 180 degrees between the open and closed position.

With reference to FIG. 1A, the containment bed 20 preferably includes a heating system 120 including a built-in heat exchanger 125 fluidly circulating engine coolant to heat the containment bed 20 and the material contained therein. The heating system 120 further includes a manifold 130 and a series of hoses 135, 140, 145, and 150 connecting the manifold 130 to a 3-way valve 155 and a vehicle engine (not shown). In operation, engine coolant travels from the engine through hose 135, enters 3-way valve 155, continues through hose 140 and enters manifold 130. The coolant then continues from manifold 130 through heat exchanger 125 and returns to manifold 130. Thereafter, the coolant returns through hose 150, enters 3-way valve 155, continues through hose 145, and returns to the engine. As the engine coolant flows through the containment bed 20, it heats the containment bed 20 and, consequently, heats the material contained therein. The 3-way valve 155 controls the flow of engine coolant from the engine to the manifold 130. If material on the containment bed 20 has already reached proper heating or does not need any heating, the 3-way valve 155 may be shut off to stop the flow of engine coolant to the containment bed 20. For reducing heat loss, the heating system may include high-density elastomeric insulation, such as insulation, for example, surrounding the hoses 140 and 150.

In some embodiments, the dimensions of the containment bed 20 and the interior walls 15, 115 may be adapted to fit the bed of any suitable vehicle. Additionally, the interior walls 15, 115 may include other suitable angular orientations with respect to the containment bed floor 22, for example, substantially perpendicular in relation to the containment bed floor 22. In such embodiments, the triangular faces 85, 90 and the triangular panels 60, 65 may include other shapes, such as a square shape or other suitable shape for helping seal off the containment bed 20.

In other embodiments, the tailgate shoveling platform 25 including the upper and lower panels 30, 40, the side walls 45, 50, the lip 55, and the triangular panels 60, 65 may be constructed from a unitary piece of material, or the individual parts, or a subcombination thereof, may be welded, fastened together, or otherwise attached together using known attachment means. Further, the tailgate shoveling platform 25 may not include the triangular panels 60, 65 or lip 55.

In yet other embodiments, the tailgate shoveling apparatus 10 may include a suitable mechanical system for moving the tailgate shoveling platform 25 between an open and closed position.

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate the tailgate shoveling apparatus 10 mounted on the vehicle 105 with the tailgate shoveling platform 25 in an open position. When the tailgate shoveling platform 25 is in an open position, the lower panel 40 of the tailgate shoveling platform 25 is preferably substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the ground, thereby providing a platform at a comfortable height within an ergonomic area between a person's knees and shoulders commonly referred to as the “safe lifting zone.” In such a placement, a person can safely and easily shovel, or otherwise unload, material from the tailgate shoveling platform 25 with reduced exertion. Preferably, the “safe lifting zone” ranges from about 1 foot for knee height to 6 feet for shoulder height to accommodate a person measuring between 5′0″ and 7′0″ in height.

In other embodiments, the tailgate shoveling platform 25 may be adjusted to different shoveling heights, including contacting the ground, to accommodate the height and “safe lifting zone” of a person.

FIG. 4 illustrates the containment bed 20 in a tilted position and the tailgate shoveling platform 25 in an open position. The tailgate shoveling apparatus 10 preferably includes a hydraulic system (not shown) operatively connected to the containment bed 20 and configured to tilt the containment bed 20 for helping move material into the tailgate shoveling platform 25. In other embodiments, the containment bed 20 may be tilted using a mechanical system or other known systems.

In a preferred operation, while the containment bed 20 is tilted, the tailgate shoveling platform 25 remains in the closed position to help prevent spillage. As the containment bed 20 is tilted, material slides toward tailgate shoveling platform 25. Once the containment bed 20 has been tilted to a desired degree and a desired amount of material has been moved toward the tailgate shoveling platform 25, the tailgate shoveling platform 25 is opened, causing material to slide from the containment bed 20 into the lower panel 40. The tailgate shoveling platform 25 is opened until it is spaced apart from the ground at a comfortable shoveling height for a worker. Thereafter, material can be shoveled or otherwise removed as needed. Once the desired amount of material has been removed, the tailgate shoveling platform 25 is returned to its closed position and any material remaining in the tailgate shoveling platform 25 is automatically returned to the containment bed 20 for future use. The containment bed 20 may then be tilted down to its original horizontal position.

In some instances, depending on the amount and type of material contained in the containment bed 20, the tailgate shoveling platform 25 may be moved to an open position, thereby moving material to the lower panel 40 as the containment bed 20 is tilted. In other instances, the tailgate shoveling platform 25 may be opened partially to allow some material to move into the lower panel 40, then the containment bed 20 may be tilted down partially or fully returned to its original horizontal position to prevent spillage or too much material from falling into the tailgate shoveling platform 25, and the tailgate shoveling platform 25 may thereafter be opened fully to a comfortable shoveling height. In yet other instances, a shovel or other tool may be used to help move material from the containment bed 20 into the tailgate shoveling platform 25.

While the tailgate shoveling apparatus 10 is described herein with reference to road repair and related uses, the tailgate shoveling apparatus 10 may be used for a variety of other applications. For instance, the tailgate shoveling platform 25 may be used to load and unload heavy appliances, equipment, or other items into and out of the containment bed 20.

It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims. 

1. A tailgate shoveling apparatus comprising: a containment bed adapted to be mounted on a vehicle for containing material therein; and a tailgate shoveling platform pivotably attached proximate an end of the containment bed, wherein the tailgate shoveling platform is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position, wherein the second position is rotationally offset by substantially more than 90 degrees in relation to the first position, wherein the tailgate shoveling platform is configured in the first position to substantially seal the end of the containment bed, and wherein in the second position the tailgate shoveling platform is spaced apart from ground level and configured to hold a portion of a material contained in the containment bed at a shoveling height above ground level.
 2. The tailgate shoveling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a heating system for heating a material contained in the containment bed, wherein the heating system uses engine coolant as a heat source.
 3. The tailgate shoveling apparatus of claim 1, the tailgate shoveling platform comprising: a lower panel having a substantially planar surface, wherein the tailgate shoveling platform is configured to hold a portion of a material in the second position by locating the lower panel substantially parallel to and spaced apart from ground level; and an upper panel having a substantially planar surface, a first end of the upper panel pivotably arranged proximate the end of the containment bed and an opposing second end of the upper panel adjoining a first end of the lower panel in an angular configuration.
 4. The tailgate shoveling apparatus of claim 3, the tailgate shoveling platform further comprising a lip extending from a second end of the lower panel opposite the first end of the lower panel for aiding in containing the material on the lower panel.
 5. The tailgate shoveling apparatus of claim 1, the containment bed further comprising: a containment bed floor having a substantially planar surface for containing material therein; a first interior wall having an interior surface tapering toward the containment bed floor, the first interior wall having a substantially planar triangular first face facing rearward toward the tailgate shoveling platform; and a second interior wall having an interior surface tapering toward the containment bed floor, the second interior wall having a substantially planar triangular second face facing rearward toward the tailgate shoveling platform.
 6. The tailgate shoveling apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a first and an opposing second side wall extending from a base panel of the tailgate shoveling platform, the first and second side walls configured to aid in containing material in the tailgate shoveling platform; a first linkage operatively connected to the first side wall and a second linkage operatively connected to the second side wall for moving the tailgate shoveling platform between the first and second positions; a first opening adjacent the triangular first face of the first interior wall, the first opening sized to house the first linkage between the first interior wall and a first exterior wall of a vehicle bed; and a second opening adjacent the triangular second face of the second interior wall, the second opening sized to house the second linkage between the second interior wall and a second exterior wall of the vehicle bed.
 7. The tailgate shoveling apparatus of claim 5, the tailgate shoveling platform further comprising: a first panel having a substantially planar surface, the first panel having a first end pivotably connected proximate the end of the containment bed; a first side wall adjacent a first edge of the first panel, the first side wall extending substantially perpendicular in relation to the surface of the first panel; a first triangular panel abutting an upper edge of the first side wall and the first end of the first panel, the first triangular panel spaced apart from and extending over a first portion of the first panel; a second side wall adjacent a second edge of the first panel, the second side wall extending substantially perpendicular in relation to the surface of the first panel; and a second triangular panel abutting an upper edge of the second side wall and the first end of the first panel, the second triangular panel spaced apart from and extending over a second portion of the first panel, wherein the first triangular panel is substantially flush against the triangular first face of the first interior wall and the second triangular panel is substantially flush against the triangular second face of the second interior wall when the tailgate shoveling platform is in the first position thereby substantially sealing the end of the containment bed.
 8. The tailgate shoveling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shoveling height above the ground level is an ergonomic shoveling height between a person's knees and shoulders relative to the person standing on ground level.
 9. A tailgate shoveling apparatus comprising: a vehicle having an engine; a containment bed arranged on the vehicle, the containment bed configured for containing material therein; a heating system arranged underneath the containment bed, the heating system fluidly circulating engine coolant from the engine to heat the containment bed and a material contained therein; a tailgate shoveling platform pivotably attached proximate an end of the containment bed, wherein the tailgate shoveling platform is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position, wherein the second position is rotationally offset by substantially more than 90 degrees in relation to the first position, wherein the tailgate shoveling platform is configured in the first position to substantially seal the end of the containment bed, and wherein in the second position the tailgate shoveling platform is spaced apart from ground level and configured to hold a portion of a material contained in the containment bed at a shoveling height above ground level.
 10. The tailgate shoveling apparatus of claim 9, the tailgate shoveling platform comprising: a lower panel having a substantially planar surface, wherein the tailgate shoveling platform is configured to hold a portion of a material in the second position by locating the lower panel substantially parallel to and spaced apart from ground level; an upper panel having a substantially planar surface, a first end of the upper panel pivotably connected proximate the end of the containment bed and an opposing second end of the upper panel adjoining a first end of the lower panel in an angular configuration.
 11. The tailgate shoveling apparatus of claim 10, the tailgate shoveling platform further comprising a lip extending from a second end of the lower panel opposite the first end of the lower panel for aiding in containing the material on the lower panel.
 12. The tailgate shoveling apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a side wall extending from a base panel of the tailgate shoveling platform and configured to aid in containing material in the tailgate shoveling platform; a linkage operatively connected to the side wall of the tailgate shoveling platform; a hydraulic system operatively connected to the linkage for moving the tailgate shoveling platform between the first and second position; and an opening on a rearward-facing side wall of the containment bed, the opening sized to house the linkage between the side wall of the containment bed and a wall of a vehicle bed when the tailgate shoveling platform is in the first position.
 13. The tailgate shoveling apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a second hydraulic system operatively connected to the containment bed, the second hydraulic system configured to tilt the containment bed for moving the material onto the tailgate shoveling platform.
 14. The tailgate shoveling apparatus of claim 9, wherein the shoveling height above the ground level is an ergonomic shoveling height between a person's knees and shoulders relative to the person standing on ground level.
 15. A method for removing material from a containment bed, the method comprising: tilting a first end of the containment bed above a second end of the containment bed to move material from the containment bed into a tailgate shoveling platform rotatably attached to the second end of the containment bed; pivoting the tailgate shoveling platform from a closed position to an open position to place the material at a height between a person's knees and shoulders relative to the person standing on ground level; removing at least some of the material out of the tailgate shoveling platform; and pivoting the tailgate shoveling platform from the open position to the closed position.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of pivoting the tailgate shoveling platform from the open position to the closed position further comprises automatically returning to the containment bed any material that was not removed. 